Treatments for stage 1 nasopharyngeal cancer
The following are treatment options for stage 1 nasopharyngeal cancer. Your healthcare team will suggest treatments based on your needs and work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Radiation therapy
External radiation therapy is the main treatment for stage 1 nasopharyngeal cancer. A machine is used to direct radiation to the tumour and may also be given to lymph nodes in the neck (cervical lymph nodes) as a preventive measure.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the type of external radiation therapy most commonly used for stage 1 nasopharyngeal cancer.
Surgery
Surgery may be used to completely remove a small tumour that has not grown beyond the nasopharynx. The type of surgery used is a nasopharyngectomy, which removes part of the nasopharynx.
Clinical trials
Talk to your doctor about clinical trials open to people with nasopharyngeal cancer in Canada. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, find and treat cancer. Find out more about clinical trials.